Mel Gibson has been sentenced to three years probation and ordered to undergo a year of counselling after pleading no contest to a charge of simple misdemeanour battery. The embattled star’s latest legal woe stems from accusations filed against him by his ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva, who alleged Gibson attacked her during a heated argument in January 2010. The former couple has been locked in a war of words over custody of their baby daughter Lucia since their split last year.

The actor had initially faced a spell behind bars for a charge of corporal injury on a spouse, but struck a plea deal with Los Angeles prosecutors to keep him out of jail.

Gibson, who has been undergoing counselling since January, must now complete another 52 weeks before 31 March, 2012.

Under the terms of the agreement, he also has to carry out 16 hours of community service and pay almost $600 in fines. He has chosen to help Mending Kids International, the organization where his ex-wife Robyn recently served as the President of the Board of Directors.

The judge also demanded the Braveheart star refrain from displaying any forceful or violent behavior and limited him to “peaceful contact” with Grigorieva, reports TMZ.com.

He is due back in court on 9 June.

Meanwhile, the L.A. County District Attorney has decided not to charge Grigorieva with felony extortion in a case involving the former couple. The movie star claimed his ex attempted to extort money out of him by recording an angry Gibson hurling abuse at her in a 2010 phone call.

The tape was leaked to the media. Grigorieva maintained she did not leak the recording.